Les Bowen

STAFF WRITER

Les Bowen has covered the Eagles since 2002. Before that, he covered the Flyers for 13 years. He came to the Daily News from the Charlotte Observer in May 1983, just as the Sixers were winning the NBA championship. He thought, "Gosh, this sort of thing must happen all the time here."

Update: It was already the worst half of Michael Vick's time as an Eagles starter, even before Vick left the ball out for Antoine Winfield to punch away, leading to a 45-yard Winfield fumble return for a touchdown that tied the score, 7-7, on a play that began with 55 seconds left in the half and the Birds driving. They faced second and 2 from the Vikings' 39 when Winfield came free on a blitz.

Vick, who completed 5 of his first 7 passes, finished the half 13 for 21 for 128 yards and an interception that should have been three -- there were two egregious Minnesota drops of awful Vick throws. Vick, named the NFC Pro Bowl starter right before the game. seemed lethargic, slow to recognize blitzes and react.

The Birds have 13 first downs but only one, early TD.

Earlier: It was an unremarkable first quarter, unless you count remarkable the sight of the Governor of Pennsylvania hustling for network TV time, sitting with a sign reserving seating for those he does not consider to be "wimps."

The Birds took a 7-0 lead on Clay Harbor's first NFL touchdown, a 3-yard catch of a Michael Vick pass. The Birs had started at the 50 after Jeremy Maclin was hit early trying to field a punt.

Vick finished the quarter 5 for 7 for 47 yards, 1 run for 14 yards. Adrian Peterson had 10 yards on 4 carries.

Earlier: The Eagles landed a generous haul of five NFC Pro Bowl berths, but running back LeSean McCoy, among their most deserving players, had to settle for a first alternate spot, even though he has more yards from scrimmage than any of the three backs selected ahead of him -- Atlanta's Michael Turner, the Vikings' Adrian Peterson and the Rams' Steven Jackson.

Making the Hawaii trip will be quarterback Michael Vick, corner Asante Samuel, wideout DeSean Jackson, left tackle Jason Peters and kicker David Akers, all as starters except Jackson.

Defensive end Trent Cole, a two-time Pro Bowler, is also a first alternate. Ditto left guard Todd Herremans. Second alternates are fullback Owen Schmitt and strong safety Quintin Mikell.

***

As expected, quarterback Brett Favre is inactive tonight for the Minnesota Vikings, in the aftermath of a concussion suffered last week. Also inactive for the Vikings are two former Eagles, WRs Hank Baskett and Greg Lewis.

The team also has passed out some snow removal facts. Inside the stadium you would hardly know it ever snowed, after 615 people spent 47 hours hauling out more than 2.63 million pounds of snow, in 1,300 truckloads.